League insiders strongly suggested Kyler Murray signed with the Minnesota Vikings under the assumption that he would start. Such a decision would send former No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy to the bench.
However, with his latest Vikings quarterback update on The Rich Eisen Show, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Minnesota will hold an open competition for the starting job behind center.
To stress how “wide open” the competition will be, Pelissero mentioned things might not be cordial this summer between the two quarterbacks.
“[The Vikings] envision it being a true competition: Kyler Murray versus J.J. McCarthy, Pelissero said Friday, via NFL.com. “Both of these guys are going to go into this believing they’re gonna win this job.
“I don’t know frankly how friendly that quarterback room is going to be. It’s going to be a very competitive quarterback room.
“From everything that I’ve understood, it is truly wide open. They’re keeping an open mind as a coaching staff.”
McCarthy led the Vikings to a 6-4 record during his 10 starts last season. However, he had more interceptions than touchdowns.
This offseason, the Vikings added Murray in NFL free agency. That was after the Arizona Cardinals released the quarterback.
Vikings To Hold ‘Open’ Competition Between Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy: Report
After insiders first indicating Murray would start in Minnesota, reports have been more mixed on who will start behind center for the Vikings this fall. Some pundits have argued McCarthy will still have a shot.
Pelissero’s report confirms that to be the case. The report was also notable for the tension that could exist in the Vikings quarterback room.
Pelissero didn’t flat out state Murray and McCarthy are on unfriendly terms. That detail seemed to be more opinion based on the NFL insider connecting the dots.
But that would make sense if the Vikings do have an intense, open quarterback competition.
Murray signed a 1-year deal for league minimum to join Minnesota. While he’s the more accomplished NFL quarterback than McCarthy, the Vikings don’t have a lot invested in Murray.
If Murray doesn’t start, Minnesota can simply let him leave in free agency.
However, the Vikings invested quite a lot in McCarthy. The team picked him at No. 10 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
That draft stock doesn’t guarantee he will start this fall. But it probably gives him the opportunity to earn the job.
How Will Training Camp QB Battle Impact Vikings?
With Pelissero’s detail about a potential unfriendly quarterback room, it’s worth wondering how a Murray-McCarthy battle could impact the Vikings entire team.
Depending on how long the competition lasts, players in the locker room could start picking sides. That’s only natural, especially for wide receivers and running backs who might gel better with one quarterback over another.
A split locker room that’s never a good thing for an NFL team.
So while the Vikings might want to have a completely open quarterback competition, it could do more harm than good if the competition lasts too long.
It could be in head coach Kevin O’Connell’s best interest to name a starter as soon as possible. Of course, he has to pick the right one. Because turning back to the one not originally picked could hurt team chemistry too.
Vikings QB Update Sets Stage for Unfriendly Kyler Murray-J.J. McCarthy Battle